2006 6.0 OVERHEATING WHEN PULLING TRAILER
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
I have the same symptoms with a 04 6.0. Some hills nothing, then another one that was 6% and 4% mixed for about 8 miles. Just as I reach the summit, the heat guage climbs just to the point where it turns on the check guage light. Then as I level off and start down, the temp guage returns to normal level. I'm not puking any coolant and I have new gaskets and ARP studs and bolts. Also have new oil cooler, egr delete and complete system flush. I generally keep the rpms no higher than 2600 during the climb.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
RPMs mean your water pump is pumping more water and your fan on high duty cycle can move much more air. We need digital gauge numbers to help you, without the exact temps and how your fan is running and at what stage we can't disentangle what is wrong here. My fan is on low at about 210, at 215 it hits madium, at 218 it hits high. It will bring temps down fast once on high, especially if it's got the engine rpm to move the coolant and fan air. Scan gauge two, or above torque app suggestions are much more economical solutions that buying gauges. Only downside is no pyro, but you have one of those already.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Shalimar, FL
I have a 2006 F250 XLT crew cab 4x4 with a 6.0 PSD that overheats when pulling my 20 ft. toy hauler up hills. I have replaced the EGR with a bulletproof about 2 years ago. Recently on a camp trip had to take the truck into the shop 6 hours from home (not cheap). Replaced the oil cooler, replaced the degas bottle, rebuilt the center section on the turbo. Thought that would stop the overheating, it didn't. When pulling my trailer, maybe 6k lbs. loaded, steady inclines at 55 mph cause coolant gauge to shoot up to almost red. If I let off a little and ease it over hill it immediately drops heading down the backside of the hill. Fan comes on at the slightest gradual incline and continues until cruising down the hill for a couple minutes. Flushed coolant every year before I start pulling trailer for the summer. Always have some puking out of degas even with brand new tank and cap. I should be able to cruise this truck and trailer up the hills without and heating up. I see all the guys pulling triple axle 40 ft. trailers everywhere and I feel like my truck is struggling. I'd appreciate any intel.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Shalimar, FL
I have the same symptoms with a 04 6.0. Some hills nothing, then another one that was 6% and 4% mixed for about 8 miles. Just as I reach the summit, the heat guage climbs just to the point where it turns on the check guage light. Then as I level off and start down, the temp guage returns to normal level. I'm not puking any coolant and I have new gaskets and ARP studs and bolts. Also have new oil cooler, egr delete and complete system flush. I generally keep the rpms no higher than 2600 during the climb.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
I've never seen or heard or experienced that so I'm calling BS. The factory gauge is nothing but a cold/normal/hot idiot light with a needle. I'm not saying it's not posted in this forum somewhere but it's definitely not normal.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Is higher rpms better for the diesel or is around 2,000 better? Also someone mentioned an android for monitoring. Need an explanation a web site to go to learn about these.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
How it works.
The Torque website.
Torque — OBD2 Performance and Diagnostics for your Vehicle
You will also need a Bluetooth adapter like this.
ELM327 Bluetooth OBD2 OBDII Reader | Torque Android App
Amazon has good prices.
The Torque website.
Torque — OBD2 Performance and Diagnostics for your Vehicle
You will also need a Bluetooth adapter like this.
ELM327 Bluetooth OBD2 OBDII Reader | Torque Android App
Amazon has good prices.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 5
From: Roseburg, OR
Download the Torque Lite in the android market and you can play with the program some. Then if you like the app, purchase the Pro version . You will also need a Bluetooth adapter for your OBD2 port so it will communicate. Instead of trying to have someone explain it, its easier to just download the light version and learn for yourself, plus its free.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 907
Likes: 2
From: Jackson, TN
Yeah, that is definitely not normal. If the gauge moves past the midway point, it is time to back out of the throttle and then stop if it doesn't move back down.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Shalimar, FL
So house divided; some say's yes, some say's no-their experiences, their perspective-to me it would not seem normal, but again, I am new in the diesel world.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
I'm new to diesel towing, my previous 10 years experience was with a V-10 and the best way for it was to hit almost 4,000 rpms and everything stayed normal.
Is higher rpms better for the diesel or is around 2,000 better? Also someone mentioned an android for monitoring. Need an explanation a web site to go to learn about these.
Is higher rpms better for the diesel or is around 2,000 better? Also someone mentioned an android for monitoring. Need an explanation a web site to go to learn about these.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Shalimar, FL
2000 or under is best for mpg on flat land towing or not. When towing and climbing you want to move more air and water and reduce the load on the engine thus dropping down to 3rd gear. I use the 3rd gear and tow/haul when climbing or descending, the later to save the brakes. 3000 rpm have never bothered my engine. She is well maintained, OEM filters and syn. oil.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 25
From: Middle Tn.
My 5er is 13 to 14k loaded and the grade out of Bishop to the Eastern Sierras is 7 to 8% approximately 12 miles at the steepest. Temps out of Bishop in aug. and Sept. are usually around 100. I usually drop her down to 3rd with the cruise set at 60 mph and sit back and enjoy the scenery.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
"Vehicles updated with this service calibration will display higher temperature gauge readings when high engine oil temperature (EOT) conditions or high engine coolant temperature (ECT) are encountered..."
The fact that a flash can change the gauges behavior makes me wonder if I wasn't underestimating how it works. Also notice it says EOT or ECT.
I hope this might help the unaware owners out there that don't monitor engine vitals by warning of impending doom before the truck dies and steam rolls out from under the hood.